paula hancocks is live in seoul, south korea. good morning, paula. >> reporter: hello, ali.aphed event. this sort of pomp and ceremony is what north korea does best, and it newspaper that the rekne world would be watching this very closely. we saw kim jong-un, the supreme leader, referred to by state media, walking alongside his father's hearse and accompanied just behind him, his uncle, expected to be his keeper, his regent at the beginning of his reign as he's not even 30 and has very little military and political experience. and also on the other side the hearse question see some of the military leadership. the head of the military at the front. so this really was a chance for north korea to show that they believe there is stability. they believe that this succession has gn gone according to script. of course, it's impossible to know what's happening behind the scenes because all we get to see is what north korean television is showing us. we did see tens of thousands of mourners on the streets of pyongyang. a very snowy pyongyang. many of them extremely emotional. em peo

paula hancocks, cnn, bangkok. >> and be sure to visit our special eye on website where you can keep upl our coverage from thailand throughout the week. >>> up next how emerging markets are causing europe's debt crisis. we'll be right back. but here's what i know -- td ameritrade doesn't manage mutual funds... or underwrite stocks and bonds. or even publish their own research. so, guidance from td ameritrade isn't about their priorities. it's about mine. straightforward guidance. that's what makes td ameritrade different. ♪ [ male announcer ] trade commission-free for 60 days. plus get up to $600 when you open an account. okay... uhh. the bad news, it's probably totaled. the good news is, you don't have to pay your deductible. with vanishing deductible from nationwide insurance, you got $100 off for every year of safe driving, so now your deductible is zero. the other good news ? i held on to your coffee. wow. ♪ nationwide is on your side ( laughing ) it's actually a pretty good day when you consider. that's great. >>> from cnn hong kong i'm andrew stevens. >> and i'm charles hodson at

cnn's paula hancocks is in seoul, south korea, with more. all right, so, i imagine south koreans and really much of the region had a bit of worry when kim jong-il died thinking what is going to happen in terms of the succession. are those worries still out there or do they feel that the succession to kim jong-un is going smoothly, paula? >> well, hala, i think the concerns are still, but what we saw today in his funeral in this pomp and ceremony that north koreans do best is that at least north korea was trying to get the impression that everything is running smoothly. what we saw was kim jong-un walking alongside his father's hearse. we had his uncle behind him who we understand is going to be helping him in the first few years of his reign. the military on the other side of the hearse, which was meant to show that he has the backing of the military. all very choreographed by the north koreans. they wanted to show that this succession is going to script, as far as they're concerned. of course, this is just the public face. we have no idea w

paula hancocks is on the outskirts of seoul and joins us across the river from north korea. clearly, paula, we're looking at continuing tensions there. how is that -- how do you perceive that on the ground? >> well, charles, certainly where i am at the moment this is close to the demilitarized zone. it is a very tense border and north korea is three kilometers or two miles behind me across the river. you can't see theville raj now as there's no electricity on at this point. it's one thing the u.s. and korean military is watching closely. any movement they can see in north korea really is one of the very few windows they have into this very secretive state. it's very difficult for them to be able to get much information out. now, obviously, what they're watching at the moment is what the whole world is watching. that is, the photos and the footage that we saw earlier on north korean television of kim jong-il lying in state. also, seeing kim jong-un his son paying respects and giving a moment of silence along with the leadership of the state and the military and also the party.

>> cnn's paula hancocks reporting. thanks, paula. that's the top story from cnn, the world's news leader. i'm zain verjee, and "world business today" starts right now. >>> good morning from cnn london. i'm charles hodson. >> we'll forgive you for that, charles. good afternoon from hong kong, i'm andrew stevens. you're watching "world business today." the top stories this wednesday, december the 28th. as japan eases its self-imposed ban on weapons exports, we'll look at how its defense budget adds up. >>> it's already been a volatile year in the euro zone. now nervous banks have deposited record sums with the yeaeuropea central bank. >>> and today we say bye-bye to the boss. now time in the corner office is coming to an end, but not before some final questions. >>> stock markets in asia finishing broadly lower after another day of fin trade. that followed a quiet day on wall street. and in europe where an italian bond auction will be in sharp focus, the open was mixed just a short while ago. let's get straight to the numbers. charles,

and paula hancocks is there tonight. paula, a lot of people have been following this history here.t year north korea sank a south korean warship killing dozens of sailors. these were believed to show that kim jong-un was a tough military commander. is there a fear now in south korea that further acts of aggression could take place to show the strength of this new korean leader? >> reporter: absolutely, sanjay. this is the crucial question. will he feel the need to have some kind of action of empowerment? this is what is believed to have happened last year. two very big attacks killing 50 south koreans and tensions then were as high as they have been since the 1950s korean war. so certainly that was believed to be a case of their showcasing an heir apparent a new successor and they wanted to show strength at the same time. now, the crucial question is will kim jong-un feel weak donl stickcally. if he does, then we could see another attack in the future. this is something that the u.s. and the south koreans here are watching very closely. you can see it in the background. this is som

and paula hancocks is there tonight. paula, a lot of people have been following this history here.orth korea sank a south korean warship killing dozens of sailors. these were believed to show that kim jong-un was a tough military commander. is there a fear now in south korea that further acts of aggression could take place to show the strength of this new korean leader? >> reporter: absolutely, sanjay. this is the crucial question. will he feel the need to have some kind of action of empowerment? this is what is believed to have happened last year. two very big attacks killing 50 south koreans and tensions then were as high as they have been since the 1950s korean war. so certainly that was believed to be a case of their showcasing an heir apparent a new successor and they wanted to show strength at the same time. now, the crucial question is will kim jong-un feel weak domestically. if he does, then we could see another attack in the future. this is something that the u.s. and the south koreans here are watching very closely. we're just over a mile away from north korea. you can se

and paula hancocks is there tonight. paula, a lot of people have been following this history here. last year north korea sank a south korean warship killing dozens of sailors. these were believed to show that kim jong-un was a tough military commander. is there a fear now in south korea that further acts of aggression could take place to show the strength of this new korean leader? >> reporter: absolutely, sanjay. this is the crucial question. will he feel the need to have some kind of action of empowerment? this is what is believed to have happened last year. two very big attacks killing 50 south koreans and tensions then were as high as they have been since the 1950s korean war. so certainly that was believed to be a case of their showcasing an heir apparent a new successor and they wanted to show strength at the same time. now, the crucial question is will kim jong-un feel weak domestically. if he does, then we could see another attack in the future. this is something that the u.s. and the south koreans here are watching very closely. we're just a mile away from north korea. you

cnn's paula hancocks is live from south korea. there was hope the south expressed condolences, but what is going on now? >> reporter: well, alina, it's literally one day since the official mourning for kim jong-il ended, and already these confrontational statements from north korea have started once again. there was this hope that the new boy, kim jong-un, he is young, he has been educate the abroad would have a different outlook and change things in north korea. the initial impression is it will be exactly the same. the statement from the national defense commission. we solemnly declare with confidence the south korean puppets and foolish politicians around the world should not expect any change from north korea. it really couldn't be any clearer. criticizing the fact the south koreans wouldn't give a blanket approval from people from south korea to go to pyongyang and pay their respects to kim jong-il, but it was an about-turn for the south korean government. president lee myung-bak had been hard-lined before he softened his sta

let's go back to our paula hancocks, inside north korea. when we look at these pictures, and it is indeed a very dreary, cold, snowy day therethere. what is likely to happen next? do we have any idea as we watch the vehicle? we can just see there in the snow the picture of the dear leader at the head there of the procession. >> reporter: well, what we know from state media kcna, is that this procession through the streets will be about 40 kilometers long. so it could take some time yet. obviously, it's very slow going with the weter and they want to drive slowly, as well, so mourners can say their last good-byes and pair their final respects. and after that, we don't know exactly what we kind of shown given what we saw just 17 years ago with kim il sun, kim jong il's father. he will be going to the memorial palace. now, this is where kim il sun is being laid to rest. we would assume that the same will happen with kim jong il. but it could be some kind of ceremony, as well. but, of course, this is all guesswork at this point. but this is the

cnn's paula hancocks has been covering this story since it began. she's been monitoring these developments from seoul. paula, what does this mean, exactly? >> reporter: manisha, the japanese prime minister has already announced that the fukushima power plant has in fact achieved a cold shutdown. he announced that just a couple hours ago within a government task force. right now he's talking to the nation and giving the japanese people news. a cold shutdown means that the temperature within the reactors, those crippled reactors after the march 11th earthquake and tsunami are below boiling point, below 100 degrees centigrade, which is over a certain period of time. what we've heard from the prime minister is that the fukushima power plan the now is in a stable condition and that the situation has been brought under control. also saying that the radiation exposure at the periphery of the plant is at low levels and will remain at low levels even if there is another accident or another natural disaster. it is a milestone but many critics, many experts, do

paula hancocks, cnn, seoul. >>> top of the hour now, i'm drew griffin.ng on this day, the republican presidential race shifting in to overdrive. with a week to go until the iowa caucuses, the first big test of the 2012 race. candidates crisscrossing the state. none have won support of a congressman who carries weight in that state. >> a large percentage of iowans haven't decided. i'm one of them. it's nearly the end of december and within a week of the caucus. i have not gotten to the point where my head and heart comes together. >>> a fact finding team is on the ground of syria. there's gun fire in cities. the team of arab league monitors trying to get the government to uphold the commitment and end a crack down on protesters. activists say 6,000 people have been killed since the uprising starting in march. >>> detroit police say three of four women found dead in trunks are black women in the 20s and three had profiles on backpage.com a website used to buy and sell things, also offering adult services. >> we felt it's imperative to tell the public that

paula hancocks, cnn, on the border of the dmz between north and south korea. >>> we look further intonvestigation. director? so 12 seconds ago. we should get him a present. thanks for the gift basket. you're welcome. you're welcome. did you see hr just sent out new... ...office rules? cause you're currently in violation of 6 of them. oh yeah, baby? ...and 7. did you guys hear that fred is leaving? so 30 seconds ago. [ noisemakers blow ] [ both ] we'll miss you! oh, facecake! there's some leftover cake. [ male announcer ] the new htc vivid. stay a step ahead with at&t 4g lte, with speeds up to 10x faster than 3g. ♪ >>> more disturbing details from the autopsy of florida a&m drum major robert champion. a pathology expert says his muscle damage was so severe, it is more commonly seen after car accidents. prolonged seizures or torture. champion was beaten in an alleged hazing incident. so far no one has been charged in his death. george howell reports finding out who took part in this beating is not so easy. >> reporter: it happened on a tour bus parked outside an orlando hotel november 1

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. >> our reporter, paula hancock, the video has been provided by the north koreans. mourning and wailing the way that they are and the people in the distance who seemed to be onlookers, who seemed to be looking at the whole thing. in other words, was this outcry -- you've been there. are these people as devastated as they look that kim jong-il has passed? >> well, it's all very choreographed. i think there is a lot of grief there. it's a funeral procession that is basically based on the personality. kim jong-un, the youngest son, is now the leader. that's the message that is being conveyed. the root of the funeral, the grabbed father of the country, then kim's father, and now i think what is interesting is leading the funeral procession is a signal that kim jong-un is now the leader. what was interesting is that the uncle was right behind him. >> right. >> he's now vice chair of the national commission. it shows that he's going to be a mentor, maybe kind of help guide kim jong-un in his early days. but now that the ceremony is over, the last funeral of the event, now

economic picture in myanmar and how it might change after the clinton visit, we're joined by paula hancocks us from the biggest city and the former capital yan gan. describe form us the level of economic development there. we've seen southeast asia generally surging ahead. myanmar obviously left behind. how far behind has it been left? >> reporter: andrew, the first thing that actually strikes you when you get to the airport is the fact that all the signs are in english, even though this could be one of the most isolated countries in the world, it is already opening up in that respect. yangon was the capital for many years. it was a busy, bustling city. it hasn't expanded anywhere as much as many southeast asian nations. it's definitely a very cash oriented economy. there are many fundamental flaws within the economy as well. one example. the exchange rate here, the official rate is around about seven chaps to one u.s. dollar. the unofficial rate, and there are many of them, could go anywhere up to 100 times that level. of course, it is incredible difficult for businesses to function when y

. >> our reporter, paula hancock, who was covering this from south korea, but look at the video, we seesame video, it's all provided by the north koreans, said that there did seem to be a difference between the people up close, up front, like anywhere else mourning and wailing the way that they are and the people in the distance who seemed to be onlookers, who seemed to be looking at the whole thing. in other words, was this outcry -- you've been there -- are these people as devastated as they look that kim jong-il has passed? >> well, it's all very choreographed. i do think there's a lot of grief there. it's a funeral procession that is basically based on the cult of personality. kim jong-un, the youngest son, is now the leader. that's the message that is being conveyed. the root of the funeral, the grandfather, the father of the country, then kim's father, and now i think what is interesting is leading the funeral procession is a signal that kim jong-un is now the leader. what was interesting is that the uncle was right behind him. >> right. >> he's now vice chair of the national defe

paula hancocks is live in seoul, korea for us. rter: good morning, alina. it certainly is a milestone, but experts are telling us it's not one we should necessarily get too carried away with. now, this definition of a cold shutdown of the reactors atf s fukushima means the temperature is lower than boiling point. it is an improvement. it was a goal tepco, the organizers, gave themselves by the end of the year they would have a cold shutdown and the prime minister told his people the situation was now stable, and the reactors were finally under control, but there have been many experts who are questioning this terminology. cold shutdown usually refers to a nuclear power plant which has been functioning normally and functioning well, and it also refers to nuclear fuel rods that are in a safe and stable condition. obviously, this is not the case in fukushima. there has been a partial melt dmo meltdown in a number of reactors. some question whether or not this is technically a cold shutdown. the fact is, this is a mild milestone even t

cnn's paula hancocks brings us a little bit closer. >> reporter: walking alongside his father's coffine message could not be more clear. kim jong-un, the supreme leader, leading the funeral procession. political leaders surround him, showing publicly at least kim jong-il's wish for a smooth succession has been granted. the coffin proceeded by a giant portrait of a smiling kim jong-il was then driven through the snow layden streets of pyonyang. tens, possibly hundreds of thousands of mourners line d th streets. men and women alike wailed and beat their chests at the coffin past them by. at one point, rushing forward to get closer to the procession. a well choreographed event filled with pomp and ceremony. the country's state run news agency saying it reminds the north korean people that the snowy day the leader was born. a thunderous military salute to send off the leader who ruled his people with an iron fist for 17 years, a man who developed a regime based upon a cult of personality and terror. as kim jong-un watched the final military parades of the day, the question being asked arou

paula hancocks, cnn, seoul. >>> saudi arabia getting ready to splurge big time on a fighter jet. the tune of billions and billions of dollars. the white house is thrilled for more reasons than just one. and the iowa caucuses are all over the news. but there's another iowa contest with a $16.5 million prize winning moment that is still waiting. what do you got? restrained driver in a motor vehicle. sir, can you hear me? two, three. just hold the bag. we need a portable x-ray, please! [ nurse ] i'm a nurse. i believe in the power of science and medicine. but i'm also human. and i believe in stacking the deck. [ female announcer ] to nurses everywhere, thank you, from johnson & johnson. >>> lisa sylvester is monitoring some of the other top stories in "the situation room," including a multibillion dollar weapons sale to saudi arabia. >> saudi arabia's making a big holiday purchase. $30 billion worth of f-15 fighter jets. the modernization of another 70 planes. the white house claims the deal will provide a $3.5 billion boost to the u.s. economy and support 50,000 american jobs. >>>

paula hancocks, cnn, seoul. >>> now in egypt 10, 11 months after the revolution egyptian authoritiesffices of 17 non-profit groups, including three american-based groups. they took computers and files in the raids. it's extra strained on an already tense situation between egypt and the united states. egyptian officials say it's part of an investigation into alleged illegal funding from abroad, but washington is calling on egypt to, quote, immediately end the harassment. >>> in syria there are huge anti-government protests today erupting across the country along with reports of new violence. more than 30 people have reportedly been killed today. we have no way of confirming the number because outside journalists have been banned. cnn's mohammed jamjoom is gathering information. he joins us now live from cairo. when we see these images from i had lib, ham ma, there are reports that hundreds of thousands of syrians are out in the streets possibly feeling a little safer because there are these arab league monitors crisscrossing the country. >> reporter: we've heard that this week, hall a

paula hancocks, cnn, seoul. >>> up next, take a look at this, trash found on a beach out west in washington that hit japan back in march. should we be concerned? we'll bring you some answers, next. >>> we'll talk about mitt romney pulling ahead in iowa while rick santorum is surging in the polls. what happened to newt gingrich? later we'll talk about the iowa drama with will cain and l.z. dinner! [ garth ] we get double miles every time we use our card. and since double miles add up fast, we can bring the whole gang! it's hard to beat double miles! i want a mace, a sword, a... oww! [ male announcer ] get the venture card from capital one and earn double miles on every purchase, every day. go to capitalone.com. i wonder what it could be?! what's in your wallet? >>> well, it was last march when a massive earthquake off japan caused a tsunami that left more than 15,000 people dead and washed entire towns out to sea. well the cars look like toy cars. this is the force of the wave for you. 120 tons of debris are still floating somewhere out there in the pacific. this week, there is new concern a